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roll with the punches

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roll with the punches

Fig. to absorb the force of a blow, as in boxing. You have to learn to roll with the punches. Accept what is dealt to you. Paul could never roll with the punches. He always had to get even.

See also: punch, roll

roll with the punches

to adjust to difficult events as they happen roll with it She had to perform shortly after her brother died, but she rolled with the punches and put on a great show.

Etymology: based on boxing, from the literal meaning roll with the punches (step back or to one side as you are being hit), so that you do not receive the full force of the attack

See also: punch, roll

roll with the punches

  (American & Australian)

to be able to deal well with difficulties or criticism The poor woman has been jeered at and threatened with her life, but she just rolls with the punches.

See also: punch, roll

roll with the punches

Cope with and withstand adversity, especially by being flexible. For example, She'd had three different editors for her book, each with a different style, but she'd learned to roll with the punches . This term alludes to the boxer's ability to deflect the full force of an opponent's blow by adroitly moving his body. [Mid-1900s]

See also: punch, roll

roll with the punches

Slang

To cope with and withstand adversity, especially by being flexible.

See also: punch, roll